InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "OMG. CAPTAIN TRIPPS."

Friar Tuck Everlasting (friartuck) wrote in nevermore_logs,
@ 2021-12-09 23:59:00

Entry tags:

aderyn ceredig, friar tuck, henry claus, iestyn ceredig, will scarlet

WHO: Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, Aderyn Ceredig, and if Iestyn and Henry stick around then them too, but they don't have to!
WHEN: Backdated to Tuesday morning after Addy's police interview
WHERE: Ceredig's
WHAT: Evie cuddles and some pissed off Merry Men
WARNINGS: Talk of Addy's assault

Addy had been hurt. They had let their co-parent go face breaking up with her partner alone while they stayed and cuddled their daughter. And Addy had been brutalised. Tuck was taking the guilt of it pretty hard, though he was keeping that well quiet, instead focusing on cursing out the person who could hurt someone as amazing as Addy. At least it was somewhat more productive?

They arrived at the Ceredig’s place, Evie all bundled up and in Will’s arms and Tuck following behind with all of her things. Rhiannon answered the door before they even knocked, and Tuck gave her a sad smile. She looked stressed, like she hadn’t slept. Well, Tuck supposed, so did he. He went to kiss her on the cheek, and she offered them both a smile. “The twins and Henry are downstairs in Iestyn’s lounge. Thank you for coming, she’s been so anxious to see Evie.”

“Of course,” Tuck answered, nodded. “We wanted to come as soon as we could.” Tuck stalled for a second, putting off going downstairs to face what Josh had done to someone he adored so much. His dear Addy, who had already been through such terrible things. He couldn’t put it off forever though, so he nodded at Will and he led the way downstairs.

What he hadn’t expected to see, was Addy smiling brightly, sitting on the sofa between her boys. “My baby!” she cried out happily, and she jumped off the sofa to dash towards them, her arms outstretched. Henry looked like he was terrified she was going to hurt herself, but she reached them easily. Her face was covered in bruises, and one of her eyes was mostly swollen shut. She was moving like she was in pain, and her voice was gravelly, her neck bright purple from the bruises there too.

And yet she was beaming.

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	rouge_rogue 2021-12-11 11:02 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah, they're out of sight," Will said, accepting Tuck's apology with a nod. "You might wanna reassure Addy she didn't break you, though." He glanced skyward for a minute, taking a few deep breaths, letting the silence recentre him. After a while, he rubbed Tuck's shoulder. "This is all a bit bullshit, innit." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

friartuck
2021-12-11 11:10 am UTC (link)

"Oh, poor Addy," Tuck breathed. "Yes, I'll do that." When Will rubbed his shoulder, Tuck leaned his head against Will's shoulder in kind. "It's all beyond bullshit. And it's made me more angry than anything has since last year." If he hadn't been fucking fuming, he never would have looked twice at the pills. He was so far beyond that kind of stuff, unless he was in some kind of severe emotional turmoil. And then it all came rushing back.

"If that Josh shit tries to get out of this, we're going to scare the fucking shit out of him until he pleads guilty."

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	rouge_rogue 2021-12-11 11:29 am UTC (link)
	"We'll leave him in a little pissy puddle in the corner until he swears to leave the state," Will agreed. "Better yet, move to Canada. I'll break every bone in his bone, smallest to largest." Yeah, imagining that gave him some satisfaction. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

friartuck
2021-12-11 11:38 am UTC (link)

Why on earth was Will threatening to reduce some pissant mortal to fucking tears so goddamn sexy. "Yes we will," Tuck promised. They would protect their co-parent and daughter and they would do it together. "We should head in. Reassure Addy. I think I can manage to act like a human being now."

Still, he lifted his head and turned to Will, granting him a small smile. "Thank you. For never making me feel unsafe. For respecting me and treating me with kindness and love. Days like today, I'm so fucking aware of how wonderful you are to me."

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	rouge_rogue 2021-12-12 05:01 am UTC (link)
	Will gave Tuck a nod, turning his gaze to meet his. In answer to Tuck's words, he bent slightly to kiss him softly. "It's easy when you're so amazing to start with," he said with a soft smile. "Come on. Lets go sort this out, yeah?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

friartuck
2021-12-12 05:19 am UTC (link)

Tuck smiled right back, and then he nodded. "Right."

They walked back in to the basement, hand in hand. Tuck gave Addy a supportive little smile, since she was looking at him like she had just killed his puppy. "It's alright, sweetheart," Tuck assured Addy. "That was just a little slip, I'm fine. You didn't do anything wrong."

She frowned and handed Evie to Iestyn so she could jump up and hug Tuck tightly. "I am so sorry!" she wailed anyway.

"Oh, Aderyn," Tuck wrapped his arms around her, and he bent his head to kiss her hair. He was much more like the Tuck everyone recognised now, the anger leeched out of him. "It's not your fault. Seeing you hurt has made me more angry than I've been in a long time. And when I'm that worked up, it's more difficult to- Any other day, I wouldn't have looked twice at the pills, love. Not these days. I'm far too happy and content in my life to mess any of that up. And you're a big part of that. You and Evie."

Addy pulled back, and she grinned up at Tuck, all cry-faced but pleased. "Well that's me told then," she chuckled.

Henry wondered if the drug talk was making Iestyn think about Henry's former substance use. He didn't want to say anything, but he turned to his boyfriend and planted a kiss on his cheek before resting his head against Iestyn's shoulder.

"Come on. Sit and tea," Addy instructed Tuck and Will. "I want company. I also want both Henry and Iestyn to meet any guy I decide I am going to date from here on in. First. Immediately."

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piu_fermata
2021-12-12 11:22 am UTC (link)

Iestyn put an arm around Henry and rubbed his arm. A headache was starting to form behind his temples, and he just wanted to rest.

"We don't need to go that far," Will laughed, as Iestyn said, "I'll stalk his socials first," and they looked at each other for a moment before Will laughed again, a bit more awkwardly this time. He leaned forward to fix a cup of tea for Tuck first and then himself.

"Well, everyone is safe at home, and that is the main thing," he said, taking a sip of his tea. "Christmas is coming. Lets focus on that, eh? Something to look forward to."

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	feuillemort 2021-12-12 11:37 am UTC (link)
	"We do need to go that far," Addy stated seriously. "Henry can tell if people are shitheads. With his...you know, sensor thing. I don't want to focus on Christmas. I am trying to talk about something serious." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	rouge_rogue 2021-12-12 11:51 am UTC (link)
	Will glanced at Tuck and then back at Addy, and made a small gesture towards her. "Well then, I'm listening," he said with a slight nod for her to continue, watching her over his teacup. He remembered now her insistence that she didn't trust her own judgement when it came to men. This whole incident sure as heck didn't help that opinion at all. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

feuillemort
2021-12-12 12:02 pm UTC (link)

"He was going to kill me," Addy stated outright. "If I hadn't stopped him, he would have. And before that he had never been physically violent to me, but both Iestyn and Henry pointed out red flag after red flag- I let loneliness cloud my judgement and then he twisted my head all up. This is important because I have a daughter now. You have to- I am not a good judge of character when it comes to men, okay? And I didn't listen before but almost being murdered sort of makes one ready to re-examine shit. So if you two see something that makes you go hmmmm too you have to say something. For Evie's sake."

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piu_fermata
2021-12-12 12:12 pm UTC (link)

Iestyn winced and looked down, the thought of his sister becoming one of those statistics about intimate partner violence making his gut clench.

Will nodded solemnly, agreeing that it was important, and not just for Evie, even if she was his primary concern. She needed her mama around, and that was enough reason, but for Addy's sake too. Addy deserved good things. "Consider it done," he said, looking to Tuck, knowing he'd get his confirmation.

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feuillemort
2021-12-12 12:18 pm UTC (link)

Henry cuddled Iestyn closer to him, sensing his distress. He was relieved when Addy took Evie back into her arms, so that he could hold Iestyn more and not worry about upsetting Evie.

Addy brushed her hands through Evie's hair and she nodded as Tuck did. "Good. Thank you. I wish I could find someone who wasn't a complete dumpster fire," she groaned. "Instead I get the fucked up dude who tries to kill me and I'm only alive because my dead Ma told me how to stop him. I heard her voice and all. Is that a thing?"

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rouge_rogue
2021-12-12 12:41 pm UTC (link)

Will honestly had no idea, that wasn't really his area. But Addy seemed to want something a bit more than a wide-eyed shrug. "Well, you know, I've heard that when you find yourself in times of trouble, the mind is capable of a lot," he said. "Like your mother might come to you when you need help most."

Iestyn snorted softly. "Speaking words of wisdom?" he asked quietly, kind of only intended for Henry to hear.

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feuillemort
2021-12-12 12:51 pm UTC (link)

Henry sucked his lips in, trying not to laugh and then, once he had a handle on himself, he whispered back, "let it be."

Addy hadn't heard the boys, nor was she paying attention. "So maybe it was my own brain, just...remembering her voice? My brain knowing I would listen to her above anything else? That actually makes sense," Addy nodded. It made more sense than her dead mother speaking to her anyway. And Josh certainly hadn't heard it so it hadn't been audible. It was definitely inside her head. "Maybe my own brain can use her voice to tell me when I'm being an idiot."

"You're not an idiot," Tuck finally spoke up. "I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Oh god, not whether or not you're an idiot," he said quickly, and Addy chuckled. "I was married a few decades ago. Michaela and Daniel's mother. And I thought we had a wonderful relationship until the day she-" Tuck sighed heavily and he reached out for Will's hand. "Until the day she beat me unconscious. So. When I tell you you're not an idiot, it's because if you are, I am. I look back on that relationship now, especially with Daniel and Michael pointing out things- There were so many red flags I missed. She did not treat me with respect and kindness all the time. She was harsh and she belittled me and-" There were lots of things he had thought about over the past few weeks, but he would talk about them with Will later, not here. "-she hurt me emotionally, but I let it go, or I ignored it until I couldn't any more. You're not an idiot, Addy. You're human."

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rouge_rogue
2021-12-12 01:20 pm UTC (link)

"Ma would never call you an idiot," Iestyn added gently. He didn't want her putting that idea in her head either. Hearing Tuck make these admissions was moving, and the little joke he'd had with Henry passed to make room for feeling sorry for what Tuck had had to go through.

Will watched Tuck speak, paying attention to the story, and squeezed his hand to encourage him. "Nobody here needs to be putting themselves down. What you heard, Addy, is a blessing because it helped you. It doesn't matter that it was probably just you remembering her voice. It worked. It saved you."

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feuillemort
2021-12-13 03:25 am UTC (link)

"You're right," Addy said, nodding firmly. "You're all right, I'm- He's a fault, not me. And my mind saving me is awesome. My Ma would never call me an idiot. And your ex wife sounds like a real bitch," she informed Tuck, who snorted indecorously.

"Oh, there are several words for her. But I'll leave them because God knows we don't need me getting worked up again," he chuckled a little.

"Maybe I need to take a course. Learn what green relationship flags look like. And how to look out for red ones," Addy groaned and leaned her head down against Evie's. "I want to be able to trust myself-"

"I have some phone numbers I can give you," Tuck said easily. "I think that's a really good idea."

"Iestyn?" Addy asked, glancing at her brother. She wanted to know what he thought too.

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piu_fermata
2021-12-13 05:46 am UTC (link)

"Yeah, if you think that'll help, for sure." Iestyn nodded encouragement to Addy. He'd love to see her settled and happy. She deserved it. "And maybe going back to therapy?"

"Can't hurt," Will agreed, and shot Tuck a quick smile. Revealing his difficult past was very brave of him, and he didn't have to do it, but for his friends, he'd do just about anything. Will squeezed his hand again to show he appreciated what he was doing.

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feuillemort
2021-12-13 06:47 am UTC (link)

"I'm still in therapy," Addy reassured Iestyn. She had only stopped while she was bedridden, but she had a lot of shit to talk about. "But fair point either way."

"And in the meantime we'll do whatever we can to help," Tuck promised Addy. He squeezed Will's hand right back, so grateful for the support.

Addy let go of a deep breath and then she nodded. "Okay, now we can talk about Christmas," she said, a bit cheeky. "Because little miss is getting spoiiilleeddddd," she said, nuzzling against Evie, who cackled.

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	piu_fermata 2021-12-13 10:21 am UTC (link)
	Iestyn nodded quickly. "We're here for you, Ads." Will let out a breath and finally relaxed a bit, his arm along the back of the sofa. "She sure is," he agreed, thinking of the cute shit that he and Tuck already had hidden away. "Christmas this year has a lot to make up for." And not just their own drama from last year, but everyone else's too. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

friartuck
2021-12-13 10:28 am UTC (link)

That made Tuck turn to Will and plant a kiss on his temple. Their Christmas last year had been spent in hospital, both emaciated and traumatised, Will burning with fever. Yes, this Christmas had a lot to make up for. "Yes it does. But we're definitely going to. I have the best meal planned!"

To that, Addy whooped. So yeah, maybe she was here surrounded by men, but they were good ones. And with them, she was safe.

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